Is this a kind of warbler?

[Neil Rigby]

Sounds like we're coming from the same viewpoint Woodsie.

Can you give us some spotting tips for Dunnocks here John?

We were looking for the grey markings which were'nt really there.

What features helped you make your conclusion?

[clydebirder]

Hi Woodsie

The bird is definately a Dunnock, they can be variable and some birds are paler than others. It also depends on the light you see them in, on the ground in the shade they can appear very dark. When you you see them perched in full light they can appear much paler.

It could also be a continental bird which on average are paler than our resident birds.

cheers, John

[clydebirder]

Hi Woodsie and Neil

On the ground Dunnocks can look almost blackish brown in the shade. the same bird perched in the open in bright light would look much paler with lesss distinctive features, making it look like a differnt bird.

The first thing I looked at were the structure and shape of the bird, then I looked at the bill shape and basic colouring of the bird. the streaking on the flanks and mantle are the only obvious distinctive markings on the images and would only be shown in the UK by the likes of Reed Bunting, Redpoll and Meadow Pipit which all have their own distinctive features. The grey in the images has been burned out by the bright light and appears much lighter than normal, the contrasting darker ear coverts are also a distinctive feature of Dunnock.

hope that all makes sense

Cheers, John

[woodsie]

Many thanks John. I have learnt a lot today.

Thanks again Woodsie

[Chrissy]

I also have a capture from the weekend that resembles a Dunnock, he was in the hedge singing away. I am familiar with one in my garden and have no problem recognising him but it was a bit more difficult out in the hedgrow and I am still not sure. I do have a photo but it is very poor. Do they have a tuneful song?

[Kate Rigby]

Yes they are songbirds. I often have one singing to me in the morning, when I'm out on the garden. Such a nice way to start the day!

[clydebirder]

Hi Chrissy

They have a fast warbling song which is very tuneful

They often flick there wings and tail which is a good pointer even when they are in scrub

Cheers, John